Preakness Profile: Creative Minister * The Racing Biz

Preakness Profile: Creative Minister

Gary Quill
May 21, 2022

One of the more intriguing Preakness entrants is the Ken McPeek-trained Creative Minister, who won an allowance race on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 7.

Creative Minister, a son of Creative Cause, didn’t reach the races until March 5 and didn’t leave the maiden ranks until April 9. But he’s won two of three and prompted his ownership group to supplement him to the Triple Crown series for $150,000.

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GQ SAYS…

Trainer / Jockey (Preakness Mounts W-P-S): Kenneth McPeek / Brian Hernandez, Jr. (3:0-0-0)

Last Race (Finish): Optional Claimer at CD (1^st)

Morning Line Odds: 10-1

This late-bloomer didn’t make his racing debut until March 5 of this year, where he lost by a neck. Hence, the owners who include his trainer McPeek with a 10% share, never dreamed he’d be ready to compete in any of the Triple Crown races, so they never paid the ($600) nomination fee which makes a 3-year-old eligible to enter the KY Derby, Preakness Stakes and/or Belmont Stakes.

After two impressive victories which followed his debut, they decided to pony-up the $150k to supplement their rising star, allowing him to enter the Preakness and the Belmont (if all goes well). The deciding factor was his victory at Churchill Downs on Derby Day, where he earned a 108 Equibase Speed figure while a few hours later on the same track, the KY Derby winner (Rich Strike) earned a 106.

To put things into perspective, this son of Creative Cause will need to win or finish second to make the $150k “gamble” payoff. Might make one think twice about not using him in your exotics.